Looks like I'll get no where with Land Rover, regarding them footing the possible repair bill. Just spoke to the manager of the supplying dealer. Basically said that I wouldn't be covered by Land Rover, as it's does not have a Land Rover fsh, even though he supplied it to me without one 20 months ago.
As you say. Will probably have the worst of the blisters re-painted. Then part exchange it. Not had much luck with this motor. Not put me off Land Rover for life, probably just been unlucky. Landy has now gone.

That's not good - don't think I have heard about a rusty FL2 on the forum before, perhaps your example has spent a hard life in a heavily industrial area where it hasn't been regularly washed etc?

Update.
Going to have the majority of the blisters re-painted, see how I get on. May be down to paint imperfections. Want to keep landy. As we've now owned it for nearly 2 years. Landy has now gone.

Was trying to upload some pics using the photo choose button on site. Unable to do so? Managed to show some links. First pic, the biggest blister, prob around 1cm.
https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/i.hubnu...d03b2d.jpg
https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/i.hubnu...37ef17.jpg
https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/i.hubnu...a46b24.jpg
https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/i.hubnu...fd0a71.jpg
https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/i.hubnu...06ed0a.jpg

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  Landy has now gone.

They look consistent with stone chips to me. Given their location, and the car's previous life in the Hebrides, I wonder if this is down to Atlantic storms blowing pieces of gravel against the side of the car, then the salt-laden air getting in and starting the rust. (Wind-blown gravel can cause a lot of damage - I've seen cars with broken windows and ruined paintwork from gravel carried by a gale-force wind, and that was in Wiltshire! In the Hebrides I'm sure it could easily cause chipping.)

I hope it is caused by chipping, but cant see any obvious brakes in the paint service in most of the blisters. Not shown all. I do have plenty of other stone chips, that look like obvious stone chips. Which I've touched up. Outside paint chipped off. Landy has now gone.

Good morning.
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Ive taken a look at the photos however they are very close up to give an idea of where they actually are
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from a stationers office supply shop you can buy self adhesive reinforcement rings to stick on paper pages of a ring binder with punched spine.
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I wonder if you could stick some over the blisters and then take a more stand back photo of say the rear wheel arch so we can see where the blisters are.
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If they are near the edge then that's where rust / rot starts. If they are much further away then they could be stone chips where the inclement salty atmosphere of the Hebrides has started corrosion that has crept under the primer.
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Its always possible that your car suffered minor weather / road conditions surface stone damage and that the dealer had the car sides resprayed. with todays water based paints and quality laquers it is increasingly difficult to spot spray jobs. If it had not been sufficiently prepped then rust could have been left behind which would slowly grow. The problem with rust is that the oxide thus formed has a phenomenally greater volume than the original molecules of steel which is why you can often see the bubble grow. It might look like an Elephant but it might in reality be a mouse.
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Kind regards from Fred

Fred,
The first blister, is on the drivers side rear wheel arch. Others around 3 to 8" up from the rear wheel arches on both sides. Most of the others are situated on the bottom panel of the lower rear doors. 90% of them are close to the rear wheel arches & lower rear door panels. Not so much with the front door panels, bonnet or rear hatch. Couple in other places. Then just the usual looking stone chips. I will have a look at one in more detail, prior to having it painted. Hopefully there will be no holes behind any of the blisters.

I think what your saying about the respray, may be possible. The landy was immaculate when I purchsed it with 67k on the clock, nearly 2 years ago. Considering where it had spent it's first 3 years of it's life. I would certainly prefer that option, rather than rot.

It's due an MOT & service in 2 weeks time, will do those first & then sort the paint.

Thanks for your input. Landy has now gone.

Last edited by Boroboy on 9th Apr 2014 10:17 pm. Edited 1 time in total

From experience I reccomend before Mot that you remove the rear brake drum/disc to get at the handbrake and sort the floppy link to ensure it is floppy at the pivot pin, derust the drum with a flap wheel and finish with setting up the adjuster. At the front take the pads out and scrape the corrosion crust off the caliper yolk where the pads ears slide to ensure the pads are a rattle fit. The other problem I found was the rear indicator orange bulbs needed replacing as the orange paint was knackered.
Good luck; Fred

Fred,
I had the front discs & pads replaced, when it had it's last mot. As I had the front wheel bearing/hub changed then. First set of front pads & discs in 60k (from new). Rear discs, pads & shoes were changed by dealers a year before that. Lady that owned it spent alot on main dealer servicing & repairs, prior to me buying it. Dealers even changed one of the rear light clusters, due to misting & charged for it. Have all receipts.
Just out of interest. Do you know where the clutch bleed nipple is located? Thought I'd flush through the clutch & brake fluid at some point. Is it dot 4?
Thanks. Landy has now gone.

Update.
Took it to a trusted indepenadent bodywork specialist. Said it looks terminal. Won't guarantee any repairs/resprays. Probably caused by the harsh weather condition within its earlier life. So looks like its going over the next few months. Landy has now gone.

What does he think is the problem, and why is it terminal? One doesn't normally see paintwork/rust problems on the FL2 so it would be interesting to know more.

Given what a good bodyshop can do with a rust-bucket it must be something serious really to be terminal! It might be worth getting a second opinion from someone with experience of the afore-mentioned rust buckets (aka classic cars ).

Pab
I initially tried one paint shop, took landy there. I then rang a company that repairs the effected panel at your home. The first had said that the blisters were probably caused by rust, the second said the same.
So I thought I'd give it one last chance.
I took the landy to two other paint repair garages. Both said that the blisters were definitely caused by stone chips, not rot.
I have now decided to have the panel with the worst blister re-painted. The others, which are very small. I will touch up myself. After rust treating.
I'm really pleased we are keeping the Freelander now & obviously happy I tried some other paint repair garages.
So not as bad, as I first thought. Landy has now gone.

Last edited by Boroboy on 14th Apr 2014 6:19 pm. Edited 1 time in total

I'd just like to say, thanks for all your input guys.
It now looks like the blisters were not as bad, as I first thought. Now I have took further advice. As you can tell, I'm no paint expert.
The landy lives to fight another day, I'm pleased  Landy has now gone.

Pleased to hear it.